The evaluation of a waterjet system using computational fluid dynamics validated by wind tunnel tests

Murrin, David (2002) The evaluation of a waterjet system using computational fluid dynamics validated by wind tunnel tests. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (24MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

Traditional methods of marine propulsion have been limited to screw-type propeller arrangements but in recent years efforts to improve vessel speed have led to the development of practical waterjet systems. As waterjet technology continues to grow, methods of testing and evaluating waterjet propulsion systems have emerged. -- Conventional methods of testing propeller driven craft have been applied to waterjets and these have included self-propulsion tests using tow carriages or waterjet system tests in water tunnels. Implementation of these tests has been problematic due to the small size of models, the speed required during model testing of high speed craft at equivalent speed, and the difficulty in obtaining detailed flow information through the jet. This study investigates the applicability of larger scale testing of a waterjet system using a wind tunnel. -- In addition to physical testing, computer simulations have emerged as a valid method for evaluating the behaviour of fluids and performance of equipment. Physical experimentation forms an integral part of any CFD simulation as the accuracy of simulation results is obtained through validation against experimental data. Once validated, however, the numerical code is capable of providing engineering quantities such as force, velocity and pressure, at a level of detail not possible through physical experimentation. -- The focus of this research was to study the applicability of CFD analysis to waterjettesting and to evaluate the propulsion performance of a waterjet unit using CFD simulation validated by experimental results. A full-scale waterjet was tested at the Memorial University of Newfoundland wind tunnel, and numerical analysis was achieved with CFX 5.6® CFD software. Once validated, the CFD simulation was used to predict the propulsion performance of the waterjet unit using the momentum flux method. This thesis presents a comparison of the CFD predictions and the wind tunnel tests.

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